WESTFIELD, Mass. -- Westfield State has the slight lead after the fall season in the Howard C. Smith Cup standings. The Smith Cup is awarded annually to the member institution which compiles the most points based on the placement of each of its programs competing in the league championship sports. 

The Smith Cup is named in honor of former Massachusetts State College Trustee Howard C. Smith, who in 1970, urged the athletic directors of the eight State institutions to hold a series of meetings to discuss the possibility of forming an intercollegiate conference. In June of 1971, Smith’s dream became a reality as an affirmative agreement was reached and the MASCAC was created.

2021-22 Smith Cup honorees, the Owls started the year out strong with a first place showing with 54.17 points (71.27 percent) out of 76 possible. Westfield State was first in women’s cross country and women’s soccer while tying for first in women’s volleyball. They tied for second in field hockey and were second in men’s cross country at the conclusion of the fall season.

Less than a point behind in second is Framingham State with 53.67 points (70.61 percent) out of 76 available. The Rams were the top team in men’s soccer and tied for first in women’s volleyball. They also tied for second in field hockey, were second in football and fourth in women’s cross country.

Sitting in third is Bridgewater State. The Bears concluded the fall season with 47 points (61.84 percent) out of 76 possible points. They were first in men’s cross country and football, tied for second in women’s soccer and field hockey, third in women’s cross country and fourth in men’s soccer. 

Worcester State comes in fourth with 43 points (56.58 percent) out of 76 possible. The Lancers came in first in field hockey, third in men’s soccer, fourth in women’s soccer, men’s cross country and women’s volleyball and fifth in football and women’s cross country.

Landing in fifth is Fitchburg State. The Falcons had 36.67 points (48.25 percent) out of 76 available points. They came in second in women’s cross country, women’s soccer and tied for second in field hockey. They also were third in men’s cross country.

Salem State is in sixth after tallying 19.50 points (40.63 percent) out of 48 possible points. The Vikings were second in men’s soccer, fifth in field hockey, tied for sixth in volleyball and sixth in women’s soccer.

Rounding out the fall Howard C. Smith Cup standings are MCLA and Massachusetts Maritime in seventh and eighth, respectively. The Trailblazers had 17 points (32.69 percent) out of 52 available. They were third in volleyball, tied for fifth in men’s soccer and were seventh in men’s and women’s cross country and tied for seventh in women’s soccer. The Buccaneers had 18 points (28.13 percent) out of 64 possible. They were third in football, sixth in men’s and women’s cross country and tied for seventh in men’s and women’s soccer. 

The next round of Howard C. Smith Cup standings will be released following the conclusion of the winter sports regular seasons in March.